From a Conscript Army to a Volunteer Army
On July 1, the 2011 Military Law Amendment Act entered into force. After more than 50 years of compulsory military service, the Bundeswehr no longer drafts conscripts. Young men and women now have the option of enlisting as volunteers for up to 23 months.
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(© dpa - Bildfunk)
As a direct conventional attack on German territory has become unlikely, the Federal Government has decided to suspend compulsory military service as of July 1, 2011. It remains enshrined in the German Basic Law, but conscripts will no longer be drafted. Instead, plans under the Bundeswehr reorientation process provide for a minimum of 5,000 posts for people who volunteer for military service.
On Monday, July 4, 3,419 volunteers (3,375 men and 44 women) began their service in the armed forces. To date, more than 14,000 volunteers have been recruited in 2011. About 5,700 of them are former basic service conscripts who have extended their terms of service as a result of the internal recruitment drive, while the remainder have enlisted as volunteers over the course of the year.
The Bundeswehr will in future no longer be able to benefit from basic service conscripts maybe re-enlisting. According to current information, about 1,500 additional volunteers will be commencing their service in October 2011.
Please be advised that German citizens who voluntarily enter the armed forces of a country other than Germany will on principle automatically lose their German citizenship.
